"As expected of the captain, he is very powerful, Wiihahaha…"
Burgess raised his arms and laughed proudly.
Doc Q lay on Stronger's back, his mysterious smile widening. "Even a Shichibukai, one of the strongest men on the seas, is not the captain's opponent. Then Crocodile won't be either. If the captain becomes Shichibukai, it's only a matter of time."
Lafitte twirled his cane with a slight smile. "You underestimate Doflamingo too much. He still hasn't exerted his full force. The next stage of the fight will be different."
Bepo's bear eyes widened, admiration shining as he turned to Law. "Captain, he's really strong. We're safe."
Law shook his head coldly. "It's not that simple. Doflamingo is not someone who can be defeated so easily."
"What's wrong with you? Why so negative? You should support Ethan. Without his intervention, you'd already be dead." Hana glared at Law angrily.
Betty shrugged, exhaling smoke. "Let him be. He'll realize later that he thinks too highly of Doflamingo."
At that moment, Doflamingo, still embedded in the massive tree, let out a wild laugh. "Fufufufu… I'm truly surprised. The current rookies are becoming more and more powerful. Sure enough, this sea is boiling, and the new era has finally arrived, puff, puff…"
With a crash, the tree collapsed, and Doflamingo sprang forward, rushing toward Ethan.
"Little rookie, it's been a long time since I met someone like you. You surprised me! If you're allowed to enter the New World, you'll surely become another famous big shot."
He smiled darkly at Ethan. "However, since you met me today, your fate is to die at my hands. I enjoy destroying seedlings. Seeing your potential, I must kill you before you grow any further. Fufufufu…"
Ethan slowly descended to the ground, his calm voice cutting through the tension. "Doflamingo, you really can't change your nonsense. Why do you talk so much?"
In an instant, veins bulged across Doflamingo's forehead, his fury boiling to the point of near explosion.
"Little rookie, do you think you are very powerful? You don't know anything about this sea. You don't know what terror truly is. Feel good, but don't die too fast, Fufufufu…"
As soon as his foot struck the ground, a loud bang echoed. The surrounding area cracked, and Doflamingo's figure shot toward Ethan with incredible speed. His right fist clenched, instantly turning pitch black as an aura surged from his entire body. He seemed transformed, more dangerous than before.
"I'm sorry, Doflamingo," Ethan said calmly. "I think I know more about this sea than you do."
In an instant, Ethan's right hand was coated in Armament Haki. His momentum shifted sharply as he launched his attack.
Fist met Fist, and the collision erupted in an explosion. Immediately, countless dark red bolts of energy burst from the impact, crackling violently.
Boom~~
A violent impulse radiated outward. The ground cracked, flowers, plants, and trees ripped from the soil, destroyed by the shockwave. The devastation spread further and further.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Crew members below rolled their eyes back and collapsed, unable to withstand the pressure.
"Bepo…"
Seeing him faint, Law quickly turned his head toward the battle, frowning. "It's a Conqueror's clash. This guy is extraordinary!"
Doc Q observed the fallen bodies with a grim smile. "This is what the captain meant by a Conqueror fight. It's terrifying."
Burgess clenched his fists, excitement blazing. "Strong—too strong! As expected of the captain! Wiihahaha!"
Lafitte straightened his top hat, smiling faintly. "I heard the captain speak of a Conqueror's clash before. I thought he exaggerated. But seeing this now, it's no ordinary power—it's overwhelming."
Betty took a drag from her cigarette, her eyes on the fallen crew. "Too many on our ship have weak wills."
Baccarat shook her head gently. "We can't blame them. The truth is these two are simply too strong."
At that moment, Doflamingo's eyes widened in shock. "Who the hell are you? A newcomer from the Four Seas possessing Conqueror's Haki… who taught you?"
Ethan remained calm, his voice deadpan as he answered.
"As I said before, if you beat me, you will know the answer."
Hearing this again, Doflamingo grew enraged, though his smile remained. "You're getting more and more interesting—a rookie with such potential. I should get rid of you. I can't let you reach the New World. Fufufufu…"
As soon as those words fell, the figures of the two flashed through the air in an instant. They clashed again, dark red lightning shooting out violently.
Shhhh…
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Both moved at incredible speed, their figures blurred beyond recognition as they struck each other repeatedly. In less than a few seconds, they had exchanged more than a dozen blows, the dark red lightning never ceasing.
The people below who managed to glimpse the fight clicked their tongues in awe. What a stunning sight!
Suddenly, the battlefield shifted. The two stopped, standing face to face. Doflamingo looked exhausted, breathing hard, sweat dripping from his forehead. Ethan, by contrast, stood perfectly still, his breathing unchanged, his expression calm and composed.
From this comparison, the result was clear.
"Damn brat, you are so strong."
Doflamingo's rage boiled over, his exhaustion evident. Yet Ethan remained calm, unshaken. The contrast was unbearable for Doflamingo, who had always cared about appearances. His anger soared, his desire to destroy everything intensifying.
"Doflamingo, we will be Allies in the future. That's enough." Ethan crossed his arms calmly. "Law is of great importance to my crew. I won't let you take him away."
"Allies??"
Doflamingo wiggled his fingers, smiling darkly. "You little brat, don't be so self‑righteous. You're a rookie with great potential, but if I don't kill you now, you'll be a problem later. How many years has it been? It's been too long since I used my full strength. You should feel honored, Fufufufu…"
Spreading his hands, Doflamingo raised his head, laughing arrogantly. "Let me show you the true power of the Devil Fruit. Don't be too surprised, brat!"
With a blank expression, Ethan answered directly, his voice calm and unwavering.
"A mere awakening, why are you so excited?"
Good…
Doflamingo's laughter suddenly froze, as if someone had gripped his throat and silenced him.
Shock.
Completely baffled.
"Do you know about awakening?"
Doflamingo could no longer keep his composure. His eyes widened in disbelief as he muttered, "You're a newcomer… how do you know so much? It's impossible! There's something strange about how a rookie can know so many things! Who the hell are you? You can't just be an ordinary pirate!"
He was distraught—unlike his usual self.
Ethan shrugged lightly. "I don't want to say the same thing a third time."
"Fufufufu…"
Doflamingo laughed angrily, his voice dripping with venom. "Wait a little longer. Don't die too fast. When I'm done, I'll make you spit out everything you know."
Whistle…
Centered on Doflamingo, countless white silk threads spread outward. The ground turned white in an instant, as did the rocks, trees, and flowers. Everything around them transformed into threads.
The scene was bizarre.
The crew behind him were stunned, unable to react.
"This is the awakening of the Devil Fruit the captain mentioned," Burgess said, eyes wide. "Paramecia users can affect the environment entirely—in Doflamingo's case, turning everything into threads."
Doc Q smiled mysteriously. "What will the captain do next? I want to see it."
Lafitte placed his cane before him, speaking in a low voice. "Our stop on this island was not in vain. After witnessing a Shichibukai's ultimate combat power, I finally understand the gap."
Law frowned coldly. "Now Doflamingo will use all his strength. Pray your captain survives this battle."
Hana looked at Baccarat and the others, her voice sharp with anger. "This man is annoying and far too negative. I don't like him."
Betty shrugged, exhaling smoke. "We don't need to worry. Ethan will teach him how to behave naturally."
At that moment, Ethan folded his hands before him, silent and calm. He ignored Doflamingo's awakening, allowing the environment to shift around him.
"Alright, I hope you can be just as calm after my next attack. Don't let me down, brat!"
Doflamingo smiled, waving his right hand. A massive white thread surged from a tree, writhing like a parade of snakes as it rushed toward Ethan. The air vibrated faintly, carrying immense force. At a glance, these waves of attacks were far stronger than before.
Ethan remained unconcerned. Slowly, he opened his arms and spoke with quiet resolve.
"Shinra Tensei!"
In an instant, pale white light rose around him, shifting and expanding in shape…
Finally, a ball of white light taller than a person appeared, with Ethan himself floating calmly in its very center.
Boom~~
The massive white thread surged forward, but before it could strike the sphere of light, it was repelled violently, flung into the air.
Seeing this, Doflamingo's eyes widened in shock. Even his awakened attacks had been deflected so easily.
He was shaken.
"What is your ability?"
Doflamingo forced a smile. "Looking at the situation, the repulsive force gathers together to form a powerful repulsion field. It's incredible—it seems to deflect all attacks. So this is your means of defense! Little rookie, you amaze me more and more, Fufufufu…"
Ethan folded his hands before him, his expression still calm. "You talk too much, Doflamingo. For the sake of our future society, let me remind you: in battle, you must be fast, precise, and ruthless. If you're reckless, in the end you'll be the one to suffer."
Doflamingo covered his face, laughing wildly, his voice low and dangerous. "Lectured by a little brat… I'm so angry I almost died laughing, Fufufufu…"
"Little brat, do you think I can't do anything to you? Go to hell."
"Ever White!"
As his voice rang out, countless giant threads erupted around him, surging like waves of the sea. They surrounded Ethan densely, writhing like endless white serpents parading through the air.